2022 is shaping up for another good year for indie video game developers, and The Load Screen team covers thirteen anticipated indies to play that are scheduled for release this year. The titles cover a wide range of 2D side-scrollers, 3D isometric adventures, a horror game, a VR title, and two that focus on cats. Each of the thirteen has a unique art style or gameplay mechanic that has us excited. We included links to the game’s official website or the Steam page in the headers.

Tunic

Andrew Shouldice’s Tunic is the first of two indies with a definite release date: March 16. This third-person isometric game follows a cute fox through action and adventure. The title is reminiscent of Zelda: A Link to the Past with neon graphics, monsters, and challenges. The small fox in a green tunic will forage through lost temples and dangerous forests when Tunic comes to Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Sons of the Forest

The sequel to The Forest, Sons of The Forest, developed by Endnight Games, is the second indie with a release date of May 20, 2022, according to this IGN exclusive Sons of the Forest trailer. This open-world survival horror game looks impressive, from the realistic mylar used for tenting to the deranged monsters that inhabit the island. Surviving the night is only the first step when the game comes out on PC.

Moss Book II

The only VR indie that made our list this year is Moss: Book II by Polyarc. The highly detailed diorama-style game is slated for Spring 2022 on PlayStation VR for both PS4 and PS5. The sequel continues the story of Quill, the mighty little mouse; this time, she is being hunted for the glass gear she wields. The player controls the cute hero from the third-person perspective of The Reader, who can manipulate environmental puzzles while Quill fights every battle. The first Moss game was so good it is considered a must-play for any VR gamer, and we expect the same for Polyarc’s sequel.

Little Devil Inside

Survive deserts, dark forests, and deep oceans in Little Devil Inside from Neostream Interactive. The cartoon-style graphics of the characters mix with a realistic atmosphere and map system. A Victorian-style accentuates the steampunk mayhem in this third-person action-adventure. Control the adventurer Billy and more in a blend of overworld map exploration, like earlier Final Fantasy titles. The action combines with the survival sequences while traveling around in different vehicles, including a donkey and an old-time car. Little Devil Inside is a PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 exclusive set for 2022. The developers plan for a later release on PC, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

Rawmen: Food Fighter Arena

RAWMEN: Food Fighter Arena is so ludicrous that 2021 could not contain it, so hopefully, it will debut in 2022. Developer ANIMAL has put together a crazy PVP shooter featuring a food fight using ridiculously dressed chefs. These barely clad baddies serve justice in the form of hot ladles of soup and giant meatballs. The customizable characters compete in two to eight-player matches that will prove who the best food fighter is when it comes to PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Stray

Stray by BlueTwelve Studio is such a mix of genres with a cute protagonist for a third-person adventure through a lost robot city with a cyberpunk style. Play as a cat and utilize all its talents to conquer the forgotten underbelly of a huge cybercity. The leaps, careful footwork, sneaking, and scavenging of a feline will be put to the test. Stray is expected to land on PC, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 sometime this year, and we cannot wait for it!

Thirsty Suitors

Jala’s life gets complicated when she must mend lost friendships while battling jilted exes and disappointing her overly judgmental parents. When she makes her debut in Thirsty Suitors, Jala can skateboard around town, learning new moves and moods that affect turn-based combat. Add in some over-the-top cooking sequences with her mother, and the title from Outerloop Games mixes enough genres and humor to have us thirsty for action, coming soon to PC.

Oxenfree II: Lost Signals

Netflix is finally flexing its video game production on Steam with Oxenfree II: Lost Signals. Its story picks up five years after the events of the first game in the series from Night School Studio. Riley returns to follow the mysterious radio signals once again in this side-scrolling interactive fiction. Just like the previous title, the conversations between characters have many options and paths. Hopefully, The story-filled indie developed by Night School Studio will come to PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch in 2022.

Somerville

Somerville is the spiritual successor to Limbo and Inside since they share a developer in Dino Patti, formerly of Playdead. He also co-founded Jumpship, the makers of the new side-scrolling platformer. The story follows a man in a red and black jacket as he reunites his family after a major sci-fi catastrophe. Watch as a War of the Worlds-style invasion happens in the hand-crafted narrative told by Jumpship. This story-rich single-player runner is expected out for PC sometime in 2022.

Mineko’s Night Market

The art and playful style used by Meowza Games in Mineko’s Night Market reminds us of playing Knights and Bikes by Foam Sword Games, which we loved. The graphics look hand-drawn and playful while having a family-friendly story about cats in a fishing town at the Japanese-themed island town at the base of Mount Fugu. Mineko is the young hero who must help the village uncover its deeper secrets. Unlike Stray, cats are herded and catted by the young, hooded protagonist while occasionally aided by a giant Sun Cat. The cat-centric game release is set for 2022 on PC, Mac, and Nintendo Switch.

Hollow Knight: Silksong

Hollow Knight: Silksong is another indie releasing optimistically in 2022 to PC and Nintendo Switch from developer Team Cherry. The much-anticipated sequel to Hollow Knight adds 150 new enemies and bosses in new towns, quests, and dungeons. The new game expands the art-style and gameplay of the first Metroidvania side-scrolling platformer. Team Cherry’s first title was challenging, and the sequel looks to bring the same level of depth to the bug kingdom.

Planet of Lana

Developers at Wishfully use a hand-drawn art style to paint the off-earth tale and its 2D platforming in the story-rich Planet of Lana. Follow a young girl as she enjoys the bounties of the distant planet before it is torn apart by war and lifeless machines. The beautiful family-friendly settings for this epic sci-fi saga are scheduled for a 2022 release on both Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Atomic Heart

Expect a different spin to an open-world action RPG from developers Mundfish in Atomic Heart, starting with an alternate universe where the Soviet Union never crumbles. Players control a KGB agent named P-3 who is sent to uncover the truth behind the Facility No3826 catastrophe in this sci-fi horror FPS. Battle murderous robots of all shapes and sizes and various living monstrosities with a wide range of upgradeable weapons. With its unique story and atmosphere, this game screams Fallout, Bioshock, and Cyberpunk 2077. While currently listed as TBA, the developers are targeting many platforms, including PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.